Read more about the article Ask Gardenerd: Roly Poly Problems
Diatomaceous earth or DE is safe for use in organic gardens without harming the good guys of the soil food web.

Ask Gardenerd: Roly Poly Problems

Continue ReadingAsk Gardenerd: Roly Poly Problems

Here's a new question that came in this week: " I have a ton of roly poly bugs in my raised beds right now... They at the roots/stems of my last round of cucumbers and I would like to get rid of them without hurting my worm population. Can I use Diatomaceous earth? - Tia" Hi Tia, Yes, you can use diatomaceous earth (DE) to get rid of the pill bugs (A.K.A. roly poly) without hurting your worm population. Diatomaceaous…

Read more about the article Recipe: Plum Skillet Cake
Finished cake - the recipes says it's 4 servings. It really is 8.

Recipe: Plum Skillet Cake

Continue ReadingRecipe: Plum Skillet Cake

Back in July we were up to our eyeballs in Santa Rosa plums raining from our front yard tree. We ate as fast as we could, but still there were about 60 plums on the counter at any given time. Drastic measures needed to be taken. Enter Plum Skillet Cake. Martha Stewart is good for one thing if nothing else: ideas for excessive amounts of fruit. Her recipes for plums run the gamut, offering a plethora of options for the…

Read more about the article Growing Cowpeas (Black Eyed Peas)
A little more than 1/2 a cup of beans. We'll try again next year.

Growing Cowpeas (Black Eyed Peas)

Continue ReadingGrowing Cowpeas (Black Eyed Peas)

Cowpeas, or black-eyed peas, are a staple of Southern cuisine, but the pea (actually a bean) itself traces back to Africa, Southeast Asia and even Native American traditions. Last year we discovered a Native American heirloom called Tohono O'ohdam "U'us mu:n" cow peas.  Say that 10 times fast...if you can. This spring/summer we grew them out to see how they would do in our climate. Cowpeas, you should know, are available as both bush and pole varieties. Our packet of…

Read more about the article Growing Fish Peppers
Tiny flowers turn to fruit quickly

Growing Fish Peppers

Continue ReadingGrowing Fish Peppers

If you haven't guessed by now, we love growing heirlooms here at Gardenerd HQ. This year we were excited to try growing fish peppers. Both the fruit and leaves offer visual interest in the garden with variegated, cream-striped green pods, and white-mottled leaves that look like a beautiful mistake. Fish peppers also have a history dating back to the 1800s, with African-American culinary roots tracing back to the 1940s. Hot white sauces made from these young fruits kick up the…

Read more about the article Pruning Tomatoes
Young tomatoes in cages - Rule #1: give them proper support

Pruning Tomatoes

Continue ReadingPruning Tomatoes

Today we have a guest post from James White, a self-described kombucha tea-sipping blogger who focuses on green building and sustainable living via his family blog Homey Improvements. He's offering advice on how to prune tomatoes for those who are pruning-averse. Take it away James! How to Prune Tomatoes The first year I planted tomatoes they all died. Year after year, I’ve made every mistake you possibly can when it comes to tomatoes but I’ve learned so much that now I…

Read more about the article Ask Gardenerd: When to Spray to Avoid Bees
Cosmos are beneficial insectaries for bees and other pollinators.

Ask Gardenerd: When to Spray to Avoid Bees

Continue ReadingAsk Gardenerd: When to Spray to Avoid Bees

Another great question to share with you this week from Melody Girard: "Are there certain times of the day that bees and other pollinators in our area routinely forage? If so, when would that be? I've read that if you need to use an organic spray to control pest, that you should avoid using it at times when bees are foraging." Knowing when to spray is tricky one, because there are some species that are out all day long, and…

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